Mt. Bierstadt (14,060’) > Sawtooth Ridge > Mt. Spaulding (13,842’)

Date:   July 20, 2013
Climbing Party:   Sabrina Langer, Martin Barnett, Katie Moser, Nathan Hankins, Zach Taylor, Rich Ostrosky, Chris Pierce, Becca Frager
R/T Mileage: ~8 miles 

Estimated Total Elevation Gain: 3,262’

Mt. Bierstadt is one of the most popular 14ers in the Front Range. It’s close proximity to Denver and paved access to the trailhead makes it a very attractive option for folks looking to get up high. Let me say this again…Bierstadt is a VERY popular 14er.

Our group of 9 left the trailhead at 5:00 AM, and the parking lot was already nearly full. Lines of hikers could be seen going up the mountain ahead of us, and queuing up behind us. We were off, and summited Bierstadt just before 8:00 AM.

On the way up Bierstadt

From the summit of Bierstadt, we began the traverse of the Sawtooth Ridge. Picking our way down to the low point of the saddle was a lot of fun. This ridge traverse is mostly class 3 scrambling, requiring the standard three points of contact most of the way. The ridge affords beautiful views to the east, and beautiful views to the west accompanied by some exposure as you make your way. The ridge was snow free, except in one spot roughly 10 feet wide by 40 feet long. Ironically, we were there to witness the sole patch of snow warm to a magic temperature, and release a boulder about the size of a refrigerator down the slope. It rumbled its way down, and smashed into another rock and broke into pieces. The boulder surely would’ve ruined anyone’s day that was unlucky enough to be below it. Thankfully, no one was. It served as a reminder as to the level of care to be taken. It was not human triggered, as we were all resting above it, just a small chapter in the mountain’s history. We gingerly made it past the snowfield, and gained the saddle of the ridge at 13,300. 

About the low point of the ridge

From the low point of the ridge, there is a large gendarme straight ahead. It can either be taken straight on, or bypassed to the east. To take it straight on would’ve entailed what appeared to be class 4ish moves. We elected to bypass it to the east. There is a nice trail that will take you past the gendarme to another spot on the ridge where you will get your first view of the ramp up the Sawtooth itself. The ramp is exposed, but wide enough to feel relatively safe. There is some loose dirt and scree that leads you to larger, more solid rock ahead. It’s a quick move around the corner and voila, you have finished and are on top of the tooth! There is a Starbucks on top and a large hot tub to soak in…wouldn’t that be nice! 

Preparing to go up the ramp (ahead)

The remaining route to Spaulding consists of picking your way through an alpine tundra littered with grass, wildflowers and small boulders. It is a welcome change of terrain and pace following the traverse. So long as there are no clouds moving in, it’s a great place to relax! The summit of Spaulding is at 13,842, and a gain of 542 vertical from the low point of the Sawtooth saddle. 

From the summit of Mt. Spaulding, we descended west, and into a friendly gully that lead us to the willows. ***There is a trail to be found to the south of the southernmost stream. If you are able to locate it, it will lead you to the Bierstadt trail, through the driest part of the willows***

On top of the tooth

 We got back to our cars around 4:30, tired but feeling great about our hike. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, or a better day. For one of our hikers, it was her first time at 14k’. Knocking out a 14er, 13er, and a class 3 scramble is a hell of an intro to high altitude hiking, and she did a great job!